Usefulness of Tc-99(m)-tetrofosmin scintimammography in palpable breast tumours

The aim of this exploratory study was to assess the potential of discriminating malignant from nonmalignant lesions using Tc-99(m)-tetrofosmin scintimammography in the detection of palpable breast tumours. Nine patients with palpable masses were studied; seven had malignant lesions and two had non-malignant lesions. All diagnoses were established by fine-needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy cytology. Each patient received 925 MBq (25 mCi) (99)gTc(m)-tetrosfosmin intravenously. Planar prone views were acquired in the right lateral, left lateral and anterior positions, and the axillary regions were included in the field of view. Scintimammography showed focally increased tracer uptake in seven patients with a positive FNA result. The two patients with a negative FNA result showed no increased uptake. We suggest that Tc-99(m)-tetrosfosmin shows promise as a radiopharmaceutical in the detection and discrimination of the nature of palpable breast rumours. Larger studies are required to confirm these findings.